‘Amma’ Pharmacy launched

Amma Marundagam (pharmacy) at at K.K. Nagar in Madurai. Photo: R. Ashok

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Thursday launched “Amma Pharmacy”, which will sell quality medicines at “fair price.”

Ms. Jayalalithaa launched ten ‘Amma’ pharmacies at Chennai, Erode, Salem, Cuddalore, Erode, Madurai, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar through video-conferencing from the secretariat here.

The pharmacies, set up a cost of Rs one crore, will “sell quality medicines at fair prices,” in line with directives from Ms. Jayalalithaa in this regard, a state government release said.

The Amma Pharmacy effort comes close on the heels of the government launching the

>subsidised Amma Salt recently even as >Amma Canteen and >Amma Mineral Water ’, both low-cost initiatives, have been well received by a large section of the people.

Ms. Jayalalithaa is popularly addressed as Amma (Mother) by her party workers and supporters.

The ruling AIADMK is already implementing a slew of schemes including providing rice, laptops to students and livestock, all free of cost to beneficiaries.

The Chief Minister launched a series of other initiatives covering various departments including transport.

She flagged-off over 400 new and refurbished buses and small bus services, a Rs 94 crore initiative, the release added.